The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved by a 11-4 vote Tuesday the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, The Hill reported Tuesday.
Nielsen, current White House deputy chief of staff, was nominated by President Donald Trump to the DHS leadership position in October and discussed her priorities during a confirmation hearing last week.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said he believes Nielsen’s previous stint at the department and cybersecurity experience “will serve her well in this challenging position.”
If confirmed, Nielsen will succeed Elaine Duke, who has led DHS on an acting basis since John Kelly stepped down in July to serve as chief of staff at the White House.
